When 50-year construction equipment veteran Jay Shafer went looking for heavy machinery to fuel the West's historic building boom, he didn't rely on sales brochures.
He and his lead mechanics spent an entire day at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in March 2026 crawling under, over and through iron to find equipment built to handle the region's toughest dirt.
That hands-on inspection led to a major regional expansion: Shafer Equipment is now an official dealer for DEVELON construction machinery across northern Nevada and southwestern Idaho.
Operating out of Sparks, Nev., and Nampa, Idaho, the dealership will supply contractors with DEVELON heavy and compact equipment as the region rushes to build housing, industrial parks and massive tech data centers.
From the massive Tahoe Regional Industrial Center east of Reno to rapid server center developments in the greater Boise area, northern Nevada and Idaho are experiencing unprecedented demand for heavy earthmoving equipment. Business relocation and population growth have ignited a surge in residential, commercial and infrastructure work.
“It's a booming market here,” said Shafer, the owner of Shafer Equipment. “When companies move in, employees follow and that drives the need for homes, apartments, schools and infrastructure. That level of growth requires serious excavation work, and our contractors need high-performing machines that keep moving.”
When Shafer Equipment set out to expand its lineup to include full wheel loader and dozer offerings, DEVELON stood out for both product design and responsiveness.
“We looked closely at our options,” Shafer said. “DEVELON offered the best combination of equipment quality and manufacturer support. When we reached out to discuss becoming a dealer, DEVELON was exceptionally responsive. That level of partnership makes all the difference when you're serving contractors working on tight deadlines.”
To support the new product line and rapid market growth, Shafer Equipment is constructing a new facility in Reno. The company is upgrading from its current 10,000-sq.-ft. site to an 18,000- to 19,000-sq.-ft. facility on 2.5 acres, scheduled to open late this fall.
“Jay Shafer brings five decades of proven equipment expertise and deep-rooted relationships with contractors across Nevada and Idaho,” said Morgan Stallings, senior director of dealer development and marketing at DEVELON. “With explosive growth happening in regions like Reno and Boise, contractors need high-performing machinery backed by a responsive, customer-first dealer. Shafer Equipment's reputation for service, flexible fleet options and upcoming facility expansion make them an ideal partner to grow the DEVELON brand in the West.”
Shafer Equipment is at 955 Greg St. in Sparks and 2205 E. Sherman Ave. in Nampa.
For more information, visit na.develon-ce.com/en.
